Page 221 - UK Air Operations Regulations (Consolidated) 201121

Part CAT - ANNEX IV - Commercial Air Transport Operations

adequate interface protection devices are incorporated into the aircraft type design.
A portable EFB may receive any data from aircraft systems, but data transmission from
EFBs should be limited to aircraft systems that have been certified for this intended
purpose (refer to AMC 2025 for more details).
(e) External connecting cables (to avionics and/or power sources)
When external cables are used to connect a portable EFB to the aircraft systems and/or to
a power source, the following should apply:
(1) cables should not hang loosely in a way that compromises task performance and
safety; flight crew members should be able to easily secure the cables out of the
way during operations (e.g. by using cable tether straps); and
(2) cables should be of sufficient length so that they do not obstruct the use of any
movable device (e.g. flight controls, switches, seats, windows) in the flight crew
compartment.
(f) Electromagnetic interference (EMI) demonstrations
See paragraph (b), (c) and (d) of AMC1 CAT.GEN.MPA.140.
The EMI demonstration should cover any cable connected to the EFB as well as
noncertified power chargers.
(g) Batteries
See paragraph (f) of AMC1 CAT.GEN.MPA.140.
(h) Viewable stowage
The evaluation of the viewable stowage should be performed for a given location in the
flight deck.
This location should be documented and this information should be part of the EFB policy.
The viewable stowage should not be positioned in such a way that it creates significant
obstruction to the flight crew members’ view or hinders physical access to aircraft controls
and/or displays and/or aircraft safety equipment, flight crew ingress or egress. The
viewable stowage as positioned should allow the flight crew to retain a sufficiently
extensive, clear, and undistorted view, to enable them to safely perform any manoeuvres
within the operating limitations of the aircraft, including taxiing, takeoff, approach, and
landing. The design of the viewable stowage should allow the user easy access to any
item of the EFB system, even if stowed, and notably to the EFB controls and a clear view
of the EFB display while in use. The following design practices should be considered:
(1) The viewable stowage and associated mechanisms should not impede the flight
crew members in the performance of any task (whether normal, abnormal, or
emergency) associated with operating any aircraft system;
(2) When the viewable stowage is used to secure an EFB display, it should be able to
be easily locked in position. If necessary, the selection of positions should be
adjustable enough to accommodate a range of flight crew member preferences. In
addition, the range of available movement should accommodate the expected range
of users’ physical abilities (i.e. anthropometric constraints). Locking mechanisms
should be of a low-wear type that will minimise slippage even after extended periods
of normal use;
(3) The viewable stowage should be designed and installed so that it will sustain all
foreseeable conditions relative to the flight environment (e.g. severe turbulence, hard
landings) while retaining its structural integrity and without becoming detached. The
use of restraints of the device should be considered where appropriate;
(4) A provision should be available to secure or lock the device in a position out of the
way of flight crew operations when not in use. >When stowed, the device and its
securing mechanism should not intrude into the flight crew compartment space to
the extent that they cause either visual or physical obstruction of flight
controls/displays and/or ingress/egress routes;
(5) Possible mechanical interference issues of the viewable stowage, either on the side
panel (side stick controller), or on the control yoke, in terms of full and free
movement under all operating conditions and non-interference with buckles, etc.,
should be prevented;
(6) Adequate means should be provided (e.g. hardware or software) to shut down the
portable EFB when its controls are not accessible by the flight crew members when
strapped in the normal seated position; and
(7) The viewable stowage device should be easily removable from the aircraft without
the use of tools.
Some types of means for securing viewable stowage may have characteristics that
degrade noticeably with ageing or due to various environmental factors. In that case, the
documentation should include procedures (e.g. crew procedures, checks, or maintenance
actions) to ensure that the stowage characteristics remain within acceptable limits for the
proposed operations. Securing means based on vacuums (e.g. suction cups) have holding
capacities that decrease with pressure. It should be demonstrated that they will still
perform their intended function at operating cabin altitudes or in the event of a rapid
decompression.
In addition, it should be demonstrated that if the EFB moves or is separated from its
stowage, or if the viewable stowage is unsecured from the aircraft (as a result of
turbulence, manoeuvring, or other action), it will not jam flight controls, damage flight deck
equipment, or injure flight crew members.
The risks associated with an EFB fire should be minimised by the design and location of
the viewable stowage.
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